Goldman named CALS interim dean

Irwin Goldman, vice dean and associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, has been named the college’s interim dean by Chancellor Biddy Martin.

“Irwin has the respect of his peers and a thorough knowledge of the college’s people, projects and agenda,” Martin says. “He is a skilled leader with the background needed to sustain the college’s mission.”

Goldman assumes the post on Monday, Nov. 9, when CALS Dean Molly Jahn begins her new appointment as deputy undersecretary of research, education and economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Martin granted Jahn a one-year leave from her duties as dean to accept the post.

Goldman has been on the UW–Madison faculty since 1992, when he joined the Department of Horticulture.

“While working in my current administrative position, I have had the chance to represent the college’s interests — to, as Molly often says, advocate with and for us — out in the larger community,” says Goldman. “I consider these core elements of the dean’s role, and ones that I will continue and deepen in the coming year.”

His research examines the intersection of plant breeding, plant genetics and human health, to improve crops for health and nutrition. He chaired the plant breeding and plant genetics graduate program from 2002-05. From 2004-2006, Goldman served in several interim roles as assistant dean, associate dean and executive associate dean, and was named as associate dean for research and vice dean in 2006. In that role, he was heavily involved with the 2007 launch of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, a $130 million center funded by the federal government.

Goldman earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences at the University of Illinois, a master’s in crop science at North Carolina State University and a doctorate in plant breeding and plant genetics from UW–Madison.

Ray Guries, a professor of forest and wildlife ecology, will serve as CALS interim vice dean and associate dean for research.